Arrest records are public in Currituck County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created and maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public. The law specifically defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."
The Currituck County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties in documenting criminal activity and law enforcement actions within the county. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
Arrest records can be accessed online in Currituck County through several digital platforms maintained by local and state agencies. The Currituck County Sheriff's Office provides certain arrest information through its official website, though the comprehensiveness of these records may vary. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts also maintains electronic databases that include arrest information as part of court records.
Digital access to arrest records is subject to the following considerations:
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides additional online resources for tracking cases that result from arrests, including court calendars and case status information.
Members of the public seeking Currituck County arrest records have multiple methods available for obtaining this information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Currituck County Sheriff's Office to submit formal requests for arrest records.
Currituck County Sheriff's Office
125 College Way
Barco, North Carolina 27917
Phone: 252-453-8204
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Resources: The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains an Offender Public Information Search that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.
Court Records: The Currituck County Clerk of Superior Court maintains records of criminal proceedings that result from arrests.
Currituck County Clerk of Superior Court
2801 Caratoke Highway
Currituck, NC 27929
Phone: 252-232-2010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records to the Sheriff's Office. These requests should include:
Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b), which permits agencies to charge only the actual cost of reproduction. Current fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies.
Arrest records in Currituck County typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
Disposition information (when available):
It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, certain identifying information, including fingerprints and photographs, must be taken for individuals arrested for felonies and specific misdemeanors. These records become part of the official arrest documentation maintained by the Currituck County Sheriff's Office and may be shared with state and federal criminal justice information systems.
Under North Carolina law, certain individuals may petition for expungement (also called expunction) of arrest records in Currituck County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The Currituck County Courts process these petitions in accordance with state statutes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on several factors:
For arrests that did not result in conviction (N.C.G.S. § 15A-146):
For certain first-time nonviolent offenses (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145):
For nonviolent felonies committed before age 18 (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.4):
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in Currituck County where the arrest occurred. This petition must include:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. If the petition is granted, all public agencies maintaining records of the arrest will be ordered to expunge those records. Private entities that have previously obtained the records are not automatically required to remove them, which may limit the effectiveness of expungement in the digital age.